Gertrude Stammeyer 1892-1904

STAMMEYER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/14/2010 at 11:30:50

Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Iowa
15 Nov 1904
Page 1

Stricken To Death

Gertrude Stammeyer Struck Last Night by Train on Great Western R'y

Died at the Hospital About Two Hours After the Accident -- Two Sisters were on the Bridge East of Town.

Little One Run Over But Escaped

Crushed and bleeding from the terrible injuries inflicted by a locomotive running forty miles an hour, little Gertrude Stammeyer died the death of a heroine last night. She and her little sister Margaret, five years old, were crossing the Great Western trestle, over the Glidden road east of town when they heard an approaching train. Confused doubtless by the imminent danger Margaret's little feet slipped between the ties and she fell flat on her face just outside the rails. Gertrude bravely attempted to save her companion, but in an instant the cruel engine was upon her. She also was at one side of the track and was thrown high into the air and to the southeast, rolling down the steep embankment clear to the fence along the right of way. The train was stopped as quickly as possible, backed to the scene of the accident, the injured girl picked up and brought to the station. She was taken to the hospital, where it was found both legs and her neck were broken. She died at 7:15 p.m. The accident occurred about 5:30, the train being the westbound passenger No. 103.

As soon as the train had passed over her, little Margaret ran off the trestle, scrambled and half fell down the embankment to the road, where she was picked up by Joe Feld, who had been a witness to the awful tragedy. He brought her to town, the shock making her quite sick.

A coroner's jury has been called to meet at 4 o'clock this afternoon.

Under any circumstances the death of a child is a terrible blow to surviving relatives and friends. Inexpressibly pathetic is it when the blow falls with such swiftness and in the manner in which Gertrude Stammeyer passed away. Her bereaved father, John Stammeyer, and other relatives have the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends.